Match container



Mairch 5, 1963 M. D. FELDMAN ETAL 3,080,047

MATCH CONTAINER Filed Nov. 7, 1960 FIG.2

INVENTOR MILTON D. FELDMAN ROSANNE SCHWARTZ ROSELLA F. FELDMAN BY 3-H. "P W ATTORNEY This invention relates to a container and more particularly to a container for safety matches or the like which is both decorative and utilitarian in character.

Various types of match containers have been proposed in the prior art. Those which are inexpensive to fabricate are quite flimsy in construction. Those of the sturdier type are relatively expensive. Both appear to have a common deficiency. The match striking surface provided is generally inadequate. Moreover, few such containers have been accepted as desirable for decorative display in the home or office.

The present invention carries the art forward by providing an improved match container which is sturdy in character yet inexpensive to fabricate. In addition, the unit provided thereby is rendered decorative in a fashion to provide a novelly expanded match striking surface and is so fabricated as to render it safe and desirable for application to a polished surface of an article of furniture.

A primary object of the invention is to provide improvements in containers for safety matches and the like rendering them economical to fabricate, adaptable to a wide variety of applications and highly decorative in character,

A further object of the invention is to provide a deco rative multi-compartmented container for matches or the like which is highly resistant to deterioration under applied loads.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container for safety matches and the like which is rendered decorative by novel application of match striking surfaces.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel decorative match container which can be safely applied to a polished surface without damage thereto.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an improved container for safety matches or the like possessing the advantageous structural features, the inherent meritorious characteristics and the means and mode of operation herein described.

With the above and other incidental objects in view as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention intended to be protected by Letters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof and the means and mode of operation as hereinafter described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings, or their equivalent.

Referring to the accompanying drawings wherein is shown a preferred but obviously not necessarily the only form of embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multi-compartmented container in accordance with the invention incorporating sliding trays which are shown to be relatively projected;

FIG. 2 is an additional perspective View of a container such as illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of a container such as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; and

FIG. 4 is a relatively enlarged view, in cross-section, of the container of FIG. 3 taken in a sense longitudinally thereof.

The invention can be best described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. The container shown is relatively fiat and rectangular in character. However, its shape need not be so limited. It consists neat ice

of a series of rectangular hollow casings 1 open to their ends and arranged in side-by side parallel relation. The

relatively adjacent sides 2 of the casings 1 are welded together by a layer of adhesive 3. The casings 1 are thus integrated so as to reinforce each other. The casings 1 so integrated are sandwiched between cover units 5 which are rectangular in character and arranged to peripherally project substantially an equal amount beyond the peripheral limits of the integrated casings 1.

The cover units 5 each consist of a relatively rigid rectangular section of cardboard 6 having a superposed cover 7 overlying its outermost surface and enveloping its peripheral edges to extend about and adhesively attach to the peripheral portion of the inner side of the element 6. The cover 7 is preferably of a decorative fabric or paper-like material, the exterior surface of which is soft, enabling its safe application to furniture in the home or otlice. The inner sides of the cover units 5 are respectively attached by a layer of adhesive 3 to the upper and lower surfaces of the integrated casings 1, the innermost edges of the covers 7 being sandwiched between the casings 1 and the elements 6. It is noted that while the elements 6 are designated to be of cardboard, equivalent materials may be used.

A flat multi-compartmented container in thus provided having a series of through openings in side by side relation which respectively accommodate rectangular tray elements 8 open at the top to accommodate safety matches or the like. it may be seen that the tray elements are slidably inserted in or removable from either end of the respective casings. The remote ends of the integrated casing structure are respectively provided witha stripe 9 of paint embodying constituents providing a match striking surface.

The decorativeness of the covers 7 is enhanced in the example shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings by parallel strips 10 of a paint-like substance including the constituents of a conventional safety match striking surface. The strips 10 are so formed to provide a smooth exterior surface and not only are decorative but function to provide auxiliary striking surface when stripes 9 deteriorate and thus prolong the container life. When a cover surface is used in this manner, it may then serve as the bottom of the container and its exterior is such that it will not damage a polished table top.

A highly decorative and utilitarian container for safety matches and the like is thus provided. It is of extremely sturdy construction making it highly resistant to impact forces and applied loads. Moreover, the novel incorporation of decorative striking strips in a unique fashion afiords a substantial expansion of its useful life.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification of its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the proposition and principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statutes the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into efiect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

A container for safety matches and the like consisting Patented Mar. *5, 1963.

' 3 4 ofimeansdefininga fiat shallow frame providing sideby to accommodate constituents such as provide a match side parallel open ended casings, respectively adjacent striking surface. casings having means providing side walls common thereto, tray elements slidably accommodated in each of Ref rences Cited in the file of this patent said casings and reinforcing elements to top and bottom 5 FOREIGN ATENTS tsa d a e P ec ed b t; the P ri h r theresf d having relatively soft decorative cover means adapted 961,398 France -V-V-.-+-V-1. Nov. 21, 1949 

